The Carthaginians had the reputation of being dishonest and thieving but this does not seem to be borne out by accounts written by Herodotus, the ancient historian. According to him, the Carthaginians would leave their goods on the seashore along the coast of Africa and would then retire to their ships and wait until the natives came along to inspect the goods. The natives looked at the goods and left a quantity of gold behind. The Carthaginians would then gather up the gold and value it. If they did not think it was enough, they would leave it there and withdraw again. Then the natives would come back and add more gold. If this was enough the Carthaginians would take it away and leave the goods behind.